Light absorbing/blocking ice scraper

Abstract

An ice scraper for use in removing ice from vehicle windows is disclosed which includes a partially transparent, darkly-tinted body having a tapered distal scraping end. The distal scraping end may be inserted between a vehicle window and its molding to provide a shade or sunscreen for blocking bright light from a driver's eyes. Additionally, the dark tint of the body of the ice scraper helps the body absorb thermal radiation to maintain the body at higher-than-ambient temperatures. When the tapered distal scraping end of the scraper is run over an ice-covered surface, this thermal energy combines with the mechanical removal of ice to more effectively remove ice from the surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A scraper comprising: a. a partially translucent darkly-tinted body having a top face, a bottom face, a proximal handle end, and a distal scraping end, the proximal and distal ends each being at least about 15 cm wide and being spaced at least about 15 cm apart; and   b. affixment means for affixing the body to a window frame, the affixment means being located at the distal end of the body, wherein the affixment means comprise an inclined face located between the top and bottom faces at the distal end, and   wherein the affixment means further comprise a distal land located between the inclined face and the top face.     
     
     
       2. A. The scraper of claim 1 wherein the distal land is at least about 0.75 mm thick. 
     
     
       3. The scraper of claim 1 wherein the surface of the distal land is aligned generally perpendicular to the top face of the body. 
     
     
       4. The scraper of claim 1 wherein the body is generally planar, and wherein the scraper further comprises a handle oriented at an angle to the body, this angle being acute with respect to the plane of the top face. 
     
     
       5. The scraper of claim 4 wherein the handle includes rounded corners. 
     
     
       6. The scraper of claim 1 wherein the top face is generally rectangular. 
     
     
       7. A scraper comprising a partially translucent darkly-tinted body having a top face, an opposing bottom face, a proximal end, and a tapered distal end, wherein the proximal and distal ends are each at least 15 cm wide and are spaced at least about 15 cm apart,   the tapered distal end including an inclined face and a distal land, wherein the inclined face is located adjacent the bottom face and the distal land is located between the inclined face and the top face.   
     
     
       8. The scraper of claim 7 wherein the body is generally planar, and wherein the scraper further comprises a handle oriented at an angle to the body, the angle being acute with respect to the plane of the top face. 
     
     
       9. The scraper of claim 7 wherein the distal land is at least about 0.75 mm thick. 
     
     
       10. The scraper of claim 7 wherein the surface of the distal land is aligned generally perpendicular to the top face of the body. 
     
     
       11. The scraper of claim 7 wherein the body is generally planar, and wherein the scraper further comprises a handle oriented at an angle to the body, this angle being acute with respect to the plane of the top face. 
     
     
       12. The scraper of claim 11 wherein the handle includes rounded corners. 
     
     
       13. A scraper comprising: a. a partially translucent darkly-tinted generally planar body having a top face, a bottom face, a proximal handle end, and a distal scraping end, the proximal and distal ends each being at least about 15 cm wide and being spaced at least about 15 cm apart;   b. affixment means located at the distal end of the body for affixing the body to a window frame, the affixment means comprising an inclined face located between the top and bottom faces at the distal end; and   c. a handle oriented at an angle to the body, this angle being acute with respect to the plane of the top face.   
     
     
       14. The scraper of claim 13 wherein the handle includes rounded corners. 
     
     
       15. The scraper of claim 13 wherein the affixment means further comprise a distal land located between the inclined face and the top face. 
     
     
       16. The scraper of claim 15 wherein the distal land is at least about 0.75 mm thick. 
     
     
       17. The scraper of claim 15 wherein the surface of the distal land is aligned generally perpendicular to the top face of the body. 
     
     
       18. The scraper of claim 13 wherein the top face is generally rectangular.